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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Royal Hollow dominates off the front

Tue 23rd Jul 2024, 18:05

Royal Hollow comes home clearRoyal Hollow comes home clear
© Photo Healy Racing

Andy Slattery's Royal Hollow made the most of receiving all the allowances in the West 'Howaya' Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Philip Donovan sent her to the front after the first flight and the pair steadily increased their advantage.

She was clear three out, but Fatal Flaw began to take closer order in second after the next.

It looked like the pursuer was going to make a race of it coming to the last, but Royal Hollow wasn't in the mood to relent as she powered home along the run-in to score by 10 lengths.

She was well punted from 5/2 to 13/8 favourite while runner-up Fatal Flaw went from 6/4 to 2/1. Huntsgrove was another 15 lengths adrift in third at 20/1.

Royal Hollow was runner-up on jumping debut at Bellewstown and was placed in five of her six bumpers.

Assistant trainer Willie Slattery said: "She only had ten stone six (pounds) on her back and we thought, if she didn't throw it away, that she couldn't get beat.

"She's nearly won every race she's run in but she, not the jockeys, managed to throw them all away by being too keen. I ride her out at home and have been trying to teach her to do things right. She's learning, I think.

"Andy wanted her to make the running today and it was probably the day to do it with all the weight she was getting.

"I didn't see the sectionals yet, but I'd say she went a fair gallop and didn't get an easy lead anyway.

"She'll probably go back on the Flat next and stick to mares' company over hurdles. The aim is to get a bit of black-type with her."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan